Fluid-seal air valve



`.1. T. RIDDELL I FLUID SEAL AIR VALVE June 12, 192s. 1,672,905

Filed Feb. v, v19:27

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vPatented June 12, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. .BIDDELL F EVAN'STON, ILLINIB.

Application filed February?, 1927. Serial No. 166,875. 4"

cushions andthe like, where it has been cus-` tomary heretofore touse theusual. type of mechanical valve. j

Another object of my invention is-to prol videa valve of the above indicatedt pe, the

.5 outer* end ofl which is adapted to i ay flat with the surface ofthe inflated/article, andv has no metal parts, but presents a soft rubber surface vto whatever it maycome in coni y Vsaid surface having `excellent wearing qualities, and adapted tojlast inydefinitely without` the Anecessity `of replacef i avi ment. y l y `Another object ofmy inventionV is to i pro- Y' y vide a valve of the above 'indicated character 'whiclrconsistso a soft'rubber lug or capsule'having therein a puncture calin fluid or semi-fluid material;` said capsule a apted f'to be punctured lall the vvay t rough by an inflating deviceandthe fluid-adaptedto heal said puncture when the `inflatin device is withdrawn therefrom and lthere y prevent air returning throu h the valve. l

' My invention will be `best understood by reference to the accompanyin drawing forming a part of this specification and in which: 4 i

Figure 1 is a plan vi'ew of a basket ball having my invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a fragmental cross section taken on linef2-2 Aof Figure. 1.

Figure 3 is a view similarto Figure 2 and showin the device for puncturing the fluid valve or the purpose of inflating the ball and, Figure 4 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 3 and showing the needle removed from the inflating means, and a Schrader valve inserted for aiding' the inflation of the ball in case the supply of air pressureis 'intermit tent. f

In the drawings Iv have shown the pre-l ferred form of my invention. Numeral 5 designates a basket ball having the usual type of cover y l leather covering is made up ofseveral sec-` tions, sewed1 together along seams 8 and provided with an opening through which the bladder may be inserted or; withdrawn. The

6 and rubber bladder 7'. The

sides of said opening are laced together as shown in Figure 1 by suitable lacing strings 9 secured through holes '10 in the leather coveringin both sides of the opening. Under the laced opening is provided a flap 11 secured to the leather covering 6 by" stitch-` ing at 12 along one side of said flap, which is heldbetween the coverin andthe bladder by air;j pressure fromfwitin said bladder.

Permanently secured `to the bladder 7 by vulcanizing or other suitable means is-a reentorcing member 13, being circular in form and havin middle an tapering to a verythin edge. Through this member 13 and the portion of the bladder to which it is secured, is pro-` vided a round hole 14 through which is inserted a hollow cylindrical plug1or capsule 15 of soft'rubber material which is securely cemented in place. The ho1l`ow 16in said plugisfilled with a fluid or semi-,fluid plastid `substance 17, such as rubber cement or uncured rubberfwhichis adapted to flowor to be deformed when subjected to air pressure and .thereby prevent air from vpassing through the same.

f On the outer end of' thehollowjplug 16 constituting the air valve is a flange 18 oi soft rubber.y which is fitted snugly in a round recess inthe covering 6, thus presenting a non-metallic wearing surfaceilush with the surface of the ball.

lIn Figure 3 is shown a valve casing 19 having an extension 20 with an air passage 21 therethrough. A needle 22 having ahead 23'is adapted to be forced down through the air passage of said extension 20 for piercing the hollow plug or air valve 16 and adapted to pilot the member 20 through the rupture created by the needle. After the porton20 an increased thickness vin the has been inserted through the air valve 16 4 air pressure from any suitable sourceof air l pressure supply in the usual way. AfterV the bladder is properly inflated the valve casing with its extension is withdrawn and the fluid or plastic material 17 seals up the rupture, thereby preventing the escape of air from the bladder.

In Figure 1 itwill be noted that the valve 16 is at all times unobstructed and the ball may be inflated without the necessity of unlacing the same, which is a great a vantage over the old method, where it was always necessary to unlace the ball in order to inflat@ lll. .Q

While I have described my invention 1n its preferred form it will be understood that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention; l do not, therefore, Wish to be limited to the precise details as described but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as m invention:

1. In an articlek of manufacture, adapted to be inflated by pneumatic pressure; .a hollow plug adapted to fit in a hole in said article and secured to said article; said hollow plug adapted to'be punctured for the purpose of inflating said article; said (plug containing a plastic material adapte to seal said puncture to prevent the passage of air therethrough.

2. In an article of manufacture, adapted to be inflated by pneumatic pressure; a valve consisting of a hollow plug of soft rubber filled with puncture healingmaterial, and adapted to be punctured for the purpose of inflating said article; said puncture healing material adaptedyto heal said puncture and prevent the passage of air therethrough.

3. In an article of manufacture, adapted to be inflated by pneumatic pressure; a valve consisting of a hollow pli 'g of soft rubber filled with puncture healing material, and adapted tobe punctured for the purpose of inflating said article; said puncture healin material 'adapted to heal said prevent Athe passage of air t erethrough; said valve belng accessible'from the outer surface of said article.

4. In an article of manufacture, adapted to be inflated by pneumatic pressure; a valve U uncture and.

consisting of a hollow plug of soft rubber l 'inflating said article; said puncture healing material adapted to prevent the passage of air therethrough; the outer end of said valve extendingr into a recess in the outer surface of said article andy forming a part of said surface; the-inner end of said valve extending into the inflated portion of said article.

6. In an article vof manufacture, having an elastic air container, and adapted to be inflated by air pressure; a valve in said air container consisting of a softA rubber plug secured to said air containerand extending inwardly through the same; said plug having a hollow therein containing plastic puncture healing material; said valve adapted to have inflating means inserted through said valve, for inflating said article; said puncture healing material adapted to prevent. the passage ofair through the valve lwhen said Vinflating means is withdrawn;

said valve having a flange and an outer surface forming a portion of the outer surface of said article and being always accessible for the' purpose of inflating said article.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name `to this specification.

JOHN T. RIDDELL. 

